With an average flow of about 220 million gallons per day, Greer Spring is the second largest spring in Missouri; being beat out for the honor of the largest by Big Springs on the Current River in Carter County. Greer Spring flows from two openings, an upper outlet in the side of a Dolomite cliff and a lower outlet that boils out from the bed of the spring branch. The combined flows travel 1.2 miles and drops 66 vertical feet before entering the Eleven Point River. It more than doubles the flow of the river at this point. Greer Spring has had a maximum recorded flow of 653 million gallons in one day. The recharge area for the spring includes a huge area towards the west and north up to 35 miles away. The spring's average temperature is about 55?F.

Welcome to your Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri's National Forest, where a wide range of learning and recreational opportunities await you. The Mark Twain National Forest is located in southern and central Missouri, and extends from the St. Francois Mountains in the southeast to dry rocky glades in the southwest, from the prairie lands along the Missouri River to the nation's most ancient mountains in the south. Clear spring-fed rivers and streams, rocky bluffs, pastoral views and shaded trails all welcome visitors to explore and enjoy the beauty of the renowned Ozarks.

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW

Day-UseFishingyes

Huntingyes

Hiking Trailyes

Picnickingyes

Camping

Looking for a quiet, natural setting for your camping trip, while still enjoying basic conveniences like level campsites, picnic tables, drinking water, grills or fire rings, and toilet facilities Mark Twain National Forest offers many campgrounds with spacious, secluded sites in a forested setting. Many are beside sparkling lakes or clear rivers. Some are trailheads for a full network of trails. Come camp with us.

How about "dining out" this weekend . . . . in a shady forest or beside a sparkling lake? Someplace where the stress of your work life can float away on the breeze? Want a place with clean air, away from the hustle and bustle of the city? Pack a picnic and head for Mark Twain National Forest! Whether it's a quiet picnic for two, or a family reunion for dozens, you'll find picnic areas sure to suit your needs in a variety of areas.

Trails

ATV Trails

Mark Twain National Forest offers a wide variety of riding experiences for ATV and motorcycle riders. You may ride on any open, numbered Forest Service road in counties where county ATV permits are issued, provided you abide by Missouri State Motor Vehicle regulations. Approximtely half of the counties containing National Forest land currently offer permits.

You may also ride on designed motorcycle and ATV trails at Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Use Area in Christian County, and Sutton Bluff Motorcycle and ATV Use Area in Reynolds County if you have a Forest Service permit. Daily permits sell for $5, annual permits are $35, and are available at Forest Service offices and local businesses.

Trails vary greatly in length and dufficulty. Maps and brochures for the Chadwick Area are available at the Ava Ranger District Office, maps and brochures for the Sutton Bluff Area are available at the Salem Ranger District Office.

A printable Brochure of ATV rules and regulations is also available.

Biking:

The Mark Twain National Forest has many excellent opportunities for road and mountain biking. If you're planning to ride on local highways, remember that summer traffic can be extremely heavy, so be careful! For mountain biking, there is an extensive network of woods roads and over 400 miles of multiple use trails, some of which provide for excellent riding. Mountain biking is relatively unrestricted and depends on your cooperation and consideration to remain that way.

Please follow these guidelines when biking on the Mark Twain National Forest:

When riding on open roads, watch out for the other traffic. Drivers of Logging truck, busses, and cars may not be watching for you.

Be Considerate of Hikers, Pedestrians and other trail users.

Slow down and yield the right of way when approaching foot travelers or horses.

To prevent resource damage, avoid riding on muddy trails or after heavy rain. Stay on designated roads or trails, and avoid trampling vegetation.

Cycling is prohibited on short trails within and adjacent to developed recreation areas, and in the 7 designated Wildernesses.

Trails vary greatly in difficulty, length and physical conditions. The trail index and descriptions will help you select the best trail for your ride.

For your safety, always be prepared when riding off-road.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

March 23Awesome park

Expect us back for more visits!!!...loved it.

May 17Mark Twain Nat. Forest by Jiaan B

I have lived right by Mark Twain National Forest, here in Ripley County, Missouri for almost 16 years. I love it here, it is a very scenic area. Very rural and quiet. I think our area needs to be visited more. People need to come visit the Ozark Foothiils. And the Current River, wow, it is so beautiful. I have lived by it almost all of those 16 years. I can see it right now out the window of my house. Great for fishing, canoeing, tubing, etc etc.